peace on earth

It's Christmas night. The children are nestled in their beds and Brandon and I are enjoying the quiet of the night. I wish I had eloquent words to say, but lately, the words for these blog posts just haven't been coming as easily as they normally do. Perhaps that's a sign that those thoughts need to be etched in my heart instead of typed out. 

I'll just say this. I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know He was was born for you. And for me. I know that because of Him, we can have peace and true happiness. 

After Evelyn was born (in 2013), I struggled with lots of anxiety and some baby blues that lasted longer than I ever wanted. I was still dealing with it last Christmas and because of it, it wasn't my most favorite of Christmas seasons. 

My hope for 2015 was to find that inner peace that I had always enjoyed. Sometimes it takes not having something to realize it and this was definitely the case for me. 

Because the transition to 2 children was really hard for me, I thought it would be a while before we had another baby. So you can imagine how surprised I was to find out that I was pregnant with #3. 

Well, Heavenly Father is wise and all-knowing. And He knew that having sweet Oliver join our family would be what I needed to have that peace again. I'm grateful for a loving God who gave me this perfect gift. It's been the best gift that I didn't even know I needed this year. 

I can honestly say that my heart has been full of peace (besides when all 3 are screaming at once!) and happiness since Oliver has been born. I've felt more capable, more confident, and more peaceful with myself than I have in a long time. But through this trial, it's been my Savior that has helped me get through. I'm so grateful that  the Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas. Joy to the world!! 

prompting

It's so late and I need to be in bed. I wanted to write this memory down before I forgot. So that one day when my kids read this they will realize that promptings are REAL.

I was sitting by the Christmas tree holding Oliver and just enjoying the moment. So much so, I stayed there for quite a while. I went upstairs and put him in his swing and then got ready for bed.

I had some friends in the ward come over tonight for a girls night and so Brandon was the one to put Blake and Evelyn in bed. I was about to get in bed when I felt the prompting to go look at Blake and Evelyn. I almost brushed it off because I had already kissed them goodnight before they went to bed. But I followed the gentle urge. I went into their room and looked at them sleeping peacefully. And then I noticed that Evelyn still had a long, green beaded necklace on. It's one of those cheap ones they throw out at parades, but she loves it and wears it all the time. I always take it off before her nap, but tonight we must have forgotten. I was able to take it off without waking her.

Maybe nothing would have happened, but I'm so glad I followed the prompting to go in there and look at them so that I could take off the necklace. I never would have have forgiven myself if it strangled her during the night. I'm so grateful for promptings and know they are real.

counting my blessings this thanksgiving

Thanksgiving went a lot different than I planned. I had stayed up late to finish making some pies, but when I woke up on Thanksgiving, I had the stomach flu or food poisoning. (I was never sure which since no one else seemed to get it).  I was in so much pain that I just wanted to stay curled up in bed. But instead of complaining, I'm going to count all my blessings from the day.

• Blake and Evelyn had cousins to play with all morning. 
• Brandon so kindly made the rolls I was supposed to make for my family and our friends the Moores and was able to deliver them while I slept in bed.  It was his first time making them and they looked great. 
• Oliver slept most of the day and there were plenty of people to hold him when he was fussy
• I didn't overeat. :) Or eat at all. 
• Sarah came and got my kids ready for the feast. Evelyn looked adorable! 
• I had enough energy to stand up and snap a few photos at least! 
• While everyone took a post dinner walk, Brandon stayed behind and kept Oliver and I company. He was a rockstar that day. 
• I had more appreciation for good health and was reminded to not take it for granted like I do. 

Oliver turned one month old that day. I wasn't able to get photos like I wanted, but I caught this cute one while he was playing on the floor. Man, I love this little boy so much! 

life right now and a baby update

A new baby boy is coming soon! We've been cleaning, dejunking, organizing, stocking up freezer meals, checking off to-do list items, wedding planning, playing with cousins, and getting ready for baby's debut! I've suddenly had lots of motivation to get a lot done, so you best be sure I've been trying to prepare as much as possible so that we can just enjoy him when he comes.

I've been up finishing up some wedding prep for Hollie's wedding on Friday. And even though it's 1:00 am and I should be sleeping, I wanted to write a few thoughts down while the house is quiet and I can hear myself think.

There's a sort of sadness that comes with each baby. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to have another one join our family. But, that means Evelyn will no longer be the baby. Blake will be an even bigger brother and that puts Brandon and I in an even more grown-up stage of life. We are no longer the young couple with a baby.

But before we get to that stage, I wanted to record what life has been like lately in our stage of 2 children lately. Because heaven knows it won't be like this much longer.

• Blake and Evelyn sleep in until around 7:45 each morning. They share a room and even though Evelyn will wake up around 6 am and say "Mama or Dadda", she'll fall back asleep. 
• Brandon and I have been trying to get up earlier ever since we read the talk in the June Ensign about getting up early and going to bed earlier. On good days we are up and out of bed by 6:30. I would usually exercise in the mornings and he would get a start on some work after reading scriptures. Lately, I've been sleeping in until the kids wake up. Too tired to work out and also realizing that I'll be up very early soon enough. 
• Brandon usually feeds them breakfast while I shower and get ready. If he's in a hurry, he'll eat a quick breakfast and I'll make something for them and eat together. We have cereal a few times a week, but my kids love smoothies, wheat pancakes, and granola with yogurt. Brandon usually takes dinner leftovers for lunch which I love and he loves. It's easy for me and he likes it better than a sandwich. 
• Gratefully, he doesn't have to be in to work until around 9, so mornings are fun to have time together and the kids love having him around. 
• I spend our days with the kids hanging out at home, doing play groups with friends, or other things depending on the week. Blake has preschool one day and gymnastics one day. Other than that, we like our flexible schedule to get together with others or just have time together. We are never bored! 
• Brandon gets to work from home a few days a week. Most of the time, he doesn't mind little interruptions throughout the day and can still focus on work--which I would not be able to do! If we are lucky, he'll join us on a walk or an errand some days. 
• Blake and Evelyn still nap. They sleep in separate rooms for naps. Otherwise, neither would fall asleep. I give Blake the choice to sleep in his bed or mine and he always chooses mine. I've been loving our nap time together. We read one book together. He'll say, "No talking, that's the rule." He insists on having at least one car in his hand. And if we've followed the routine, he's pretty good to take a nap. I'm sure cherishing these naps with him.  After a nap, he gets to choose one little treat from the basket and gets to watch a show. That's usually the only time we have the TV on. It makes dinner prep a bit easier. 
• Brandon is home by 5:30 or 6. We try and eat dinner in the dining room. Meals in there are always more enriching and conversations are not distracted. But we do have our fair share of cereal or sandwich nights, in which we all eat around the island. 
• We spend evenings going on walks or bike rides (before I was 9 months pregnant), playing in the backyard, running errands, or taking turns doing YM's activities, RS meetings/visits, gym time, soccer or basketball, etc while the other is with Blake and Evelyn. 
• Bed time is around 8 for them, although they usually stay up talking past 9. We've fallen into a routine that goes like this: brush teeth, get in jammies, read scriptures, say prayers, and then they each get to choose a book to read. If it's early enough, we'll do more than one. They'll ask for a drink and for us to rub their back. As we are leaving their room, they'll say, "We have a question." We'll say, "What?" and they'll both take turns saying, "Bye!" It's so funny to them and us. 
• After the kids are in bed, B and I will work on computer stuff: So Festive, this blog, or his side work. I don't usually have time during the day to be on the computer so night is when I get to email and stuff. Thankfully, we love having "laptop" parties and usually prefer that over watching a show. Sometimes we are terrible for each other and will keep working on things because the other one is and then before we know it, we are up way too late! But, our goal is to be in bed by 11 and we've been doing so much better lately. 

Speaking of being in bed by 11, I'm 2 1/2 hours late. So off I go. But just had to jot down this time of life before #3 changes it up again. :) 

...And for the baby update....officially 39 weeks and counting. I've had tons of contractions and hope this baby stays in for the wedding on Friday. Platelets are at 135!! So as of now, we can let this baby come when he's ready. 

tiny troublemakers

I have to write this memory down. Maybe it will become like the story of my Grandpa Max King. Him and his brother Lowell were quite the troublemakers. Their mom was so fed up with their mischievousness that she tied them to chairs. Well the two of them convinced their younger brother to go and get some lard so they could slip out of the ropes.

...

Evelyn and Blake were in the bathtub. It's the one place I know they aren't getting into a million things. And since they are old enough, I can catch up laundry next door while they are playing. Tonight I learned that this is the last time I can have them bathe together. I was talking to my sister Hollie (probably should also stop multi-tasking) when I heard, "we're done!"

I went into the bathroom to find that they had emptied the entire bathtub water out onto the bathroom floor. There was an inch of water on the floor and it had seeped into the hallway as well. Seriously, there was not a drop left in the tub and the drain was still plugged. I ran and got towels and started drying the floor up.

Brandon had been playing soccer. I was still drying up the bathroom floor when he got home. The first thing he said when he got home was, "Why is there water all over the island?" I ran downstairs and saw that indeed the water from the bathroom upstairs had been leaking into the kitchen. The island was soaked. The water had seeped into the cupboards and fridge.

I admit, I was angry. I know it's my fault for not watching them closer. And they are just little scientists trying to figure out life. But, I think we are done taking baths together.

These two. I'm worried for what may come when the baby comes....

i just can't sleep

Everyone is tucked into their covers and fast asleep. But, I have some thoughts and can't help but write them down before I, too, retire for the night. I love peaceful nights when I can really ponder and study and think about what is on my mind.

And tonight, same-sex marriage is on my mind. With the recent Supreme Court ruling that same-sex marriage is now legal in the United States, I've got thoughts flooding into my head. I'm not eloquent with words and I'm not going to take the time to right them all down because truthfully, I feel all sorts of emotions that I don't quite know how to type out.

So I'll just say this:

I believe in marriage. Marriage between a man and woman. Seeing how the world is headed these days, this will not likely be the "popular" belief. But I know that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . . The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. 



Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity." -From the Proclamation to the Family (1995)

My greatest happiness comes from raising my children with my husband  in the gospel of Jesus Christ. All good that has come into my (and our) life is a result of living the commandments. 

I have seen family and friends follow the thinkings of the world regarding this sacred institution. And it just makes me sad.  But I respect their agency and will still love them.  

I loved this quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks. He said, "Tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination." 

I can still be Christlike and tolerant, but that does not mean that I can't be strong in what I believe and hold to the truths I hold dear. 

I worry about my children. What kind of world are they going to grow up in? I know I can't shelter them forever, but I have a deep motivation to teach them correct principles and hope they, too, will find the lasting joy that comes from following God's ways and not man's ways. 

I know God's laws will never change. That is the beauty of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In our ever-changing world where thoughts and morals follow popular trends, I know I can rely on my religion to stay constant. And I find great peace in that. 

I"m grateful for this article that helped reaffirm what and why I believe this. 

Eternal families. That's what this life is all about. And it all starts with marriage between a man and woman. 

this is how our garden grows

"There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food, even if it is only a garden in your yard and/or fruit tree or two. Man's material wealth basically springs from the land and other natural resources." -Ezra Taft Benson

Back in the fall, we had a lesson on self-reliance in church. I felt very inspired and prompted that we should make an effort to do a garden this year. It has been a lot of work. But I think that's the beauty of it. Work. I can't ever expect my children to learn to work hard if they don't learn from my example.

It took us a while to finally get these raised garden boxes built. Brandon gets all the credit for those. He did such a good job.

And then we finally got some veggies planted: tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers, pumpkins and watermelon. We hope they all grow well this year! 

That is if we can keep this little girl from picking all the plants before they grow. She ain't afraid of mud, that's for sure! 

prayer works

On Saturday night after a long day of working in the yard, watching cousins, running errands, and catching a few episodes of our favorite show, Granite Flats, Brandon noticed that his wedding ring was lost.

He had taken it off to help me cook dinner for a family in our ward. I gave him the dirty work of putting the raw chicken on the skewers before grilling. So he put his ring in his pocket, which had a hole, unbeknownst to him.

He was devastated hours later when he realized it was no longer in his pocket. He had been in our yard and the neighbors that night, so who knows where it was. We prayed. We went out in the pitch dark to look with flashlights, but to no avail.

On Sunday we prayed again. We did a quick search in the light, but were gone most of the day for baby blessings, so we didn't have a chance to look again. We kept praying.

This morning after breakfast, Blake was in the family room playing with Evelyn. All of a sudden, he said, "Look mom! Daddy's ring!!" We immediately said a prayer of gratitude for the ring being found. Then Blake got a really big treat and we called Daddy to share the news.

Prayer works. I've had too many experiences to deny it. I hope that Blake remembers this truth his whole life.

life right now

I've started quite a few posts lately and yet, the words just don't seem to come. And I certainly don't have anything witty or wise to say. However, I want to remember what life is like in this stage. Because I know that we will look back and miss it. And while sometimes I feel like we are just hanging on, I know life will just get busier and more demanding. When I stop to think about this stage (and usually it happens on a Saturday night when the house is clean and calm), I'm reminded that life is pretty dang sweet right now.

I mean, really. I get to stay at home with my 2 adorable children who make me want to pull my hair out and laugh all at the same time. They occupy nearly every minute of my day, and yet give me the most joy. Besides weekly preschool and play groups, our schedule is flexible and I like it that way.

My calling as Relief Society secretary is busy, but it is teaching me to rely on my Savior to make up for my weaknesses. I was on a run today and I saw a sign that said, "Do something scary every day." I loved that. Not that I'm going to do anything crazy, but isn't life all about doing things that stretch us and help us grow? My calling is really helping me to get out of my comfort zone and to be more selfless. It's sometimes scary for me, but I know that I'm always helped from above.

Brandon's job has been incredibly busy lately. He could work 80 hours a week and still have more to do. Gratefully, he doesn't have to put that much time in and is able to be home for dinner and evenings and work after the kids are in bed if he needs to. We love having "laptop" parties together, but it seems like lately one of us is too tired or not motivated to work. We had a Harry Potter movie marathon earlier this month  (it took us a few weeks to finish) but boy, was it fun! Earlier this week we went on a gym date together. I wish that could happen more often. We both have been trying really hard to prioritize exercise into our days because we are much better off when we do. But don't be thinking I have mastered getting up at 6 am just quite yet.

Life is good. It's not perfect. But we are seeing the light on some of our trials lately and we are grateful for the blessings we have had through them.

Here's a few photos from the week: I pulled out some of my childhood toys and they've been loving them! And Evelyn the messiest eater I know. She is getting so grown-up though!

yippee for a new year!

I was really happy for a new year to begin. 2014 was full of lots of great things (including some fun trips to California, St. George, NYC),  but also lots of emotional ups and downs. The affects of so many changes for our family that came late in 2013 (Evelyn being born, moving, getting used to a new job, settling into a house and making it our own, new callings) really set in this past year and it's taken some time to get used to all of them.

I'm happy for a new beginning. I don't like to make a long list of resolutions because that just stresses me out. Instead, I like to pick a few things to work on at a time and then go from there. Brandon wrote me a sweet letter on Christmas morning that touched on some of the things that my heart was feeling we should change or implement in this upcoming year. I'm excited to BECOME better with him in many aspects of our lives. And not to just do things to check them off (even though that is what my to-do-list loving self prefers to do) but to really do things to become what we want to become.

We rang in the new year at Justin and Katie's new house in Provo. We had a huge array of appetizers and treats, played games, chatted and of course, went outside and made lots of noise. Blake and Evelyn made it until midnight (which we are still paying for.)

At the last minute I threw together a surprise bag for the kids to open on each hour until midnight. It was quite the hit and they got so excited to see what the next activity was. They made party hats out of pipe cleaners (more like headbands), we made jolly rancher suckers, played the m&m straw game, took NYE photos, and drew out New Years Resolutions.

Here's to a great new year!

it's beginning to look like christmas!

The Christmas season is here! Yesterday after church we trimmed the tree. Well, mostly I did because Blake and Evelyn were more interested in running around. But with the MoTab playing in the background and twinkle lights sparkling. it was our best Christmas tree decorating experience yet. 

We celebrated 1st Advent yesterday with a candlelit dinner and told stories about Jesus. I have never seen Blake so focused at dinner before. We could tell he was really grasping what we were telling him and I hope it has made for a good start to this season. In fact this morning at breakfast he said, "Mom, tell me a story about Jesus." I happily obliged. 

I was up late last night and got the last minute idea to put out a festive December 1st breakfast for my favorite people. If I was really good, I would have gotten up to see Brandon off, but I slept in with the kids.

And we are starting our Christmas Book advent today. So excited!!

Over the weekend, I got to go to City Creek to see my friend Heather Farrell at her book signing for Walking With the Women in the New Testament. We met at Camp Vega 10 years ago and she was one of the only reasons I survived that summer. She is so real and it was fun catching up with her and her family. Plus, I got to do some Christmas shopping sans kids and see beautiful Temple Square. It seems extra stunning this year. I can't wait to go back with my family. 

Here's to a great December!!  

the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees

Life has been tricky lately. There isn't any necessary reason for this, but just that I've felt like I'm in a big rut and I keep slipping as I try to get out. It's like Satan is working overtime to make me feel inadequate, guilty, unhappy, and frustrated with everything that I am or am not doing. 

And the last thing I want to portray here or on So Festive is that life is perfect and peachy. No, it isn't. But I try really hard to Cherish the Day and to still do things that are me and that bring joy to everyday life. 

I'm so thankful for my little family who is patient with me through all of this. They are my life. I am grateful for Brandon who I can lean on for support, for Blake who can make me laugh, and for Evelyn who can make any bad moment seem okay because of her unending sweetness. God knows what He was doing to send these people into my life. 

Little moments like: a festive package from a friend, Evelyn wanting to cuddle at bedtime (this never happens), a husband who will sing along as I practice the guitar, a beautiful sunset, or when Blake gives me one of his fast, running kisses before bedtime remind that it will all be okay. And it is okay. 

We have this poem posted in our bathroom and I just love it. 

The tree that never had to fight,

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out on the open plain,

And always got it’s share of rain,

Never became a forest king,

But lives and dies a scrawny thing.

The man who never had to toil,

To gain and farm his patch of soil,

Who never had to win his share,

Of sun and sky and light and air,

Never became a manly man,

But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow in ease,

The stronger the wind, the stronger trees

The farther sky, the greater the length

The more the storm, the more the strength,

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In tree and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth

We find the patriarchs of both.

And they hold counsel with the stars

Whose broken branches show the scars

This is the common law of life.

                     Douglas Mallock

Good timber does not grow at ease. 

a not so pear-fect day

Like my pun? :) Just to keep things real and remind me of the everyday, I have to jot down a few thoughts I had from today. Of course, now that my children are asleep and I was able to sneak away for a few hours tonight (to stock up on diapers and other things), it's hard to remember that I felt so frazzled and stressed just a few hours earlier. But I promised I would record what real life is like sometimes.

It started with MoJo. It was my turn to host. And I had this fairy-tale vision of what it would be. I planned songs to sing along with the guitar, a fall-leaf hunt, a bubble-wrap painting project, homemade play-doh for National Play-Doh day and had prepared a fun little weather chart. It was nothing the children did or didn't do, but the entire time I just felt stressed. Blake had little interest in the art project, the kids wanted to run from one room to the next and I just didn't know how to handle it all. I guess there is a reason I wasn't an elementary teacher.

Mothering is a humbling experience and although this preschool incident is just one tiny little thing, it made me realize how much I need to learn about loving and letting go of my unrealistic expectations.

As the kids were leaving, Blake and his friend Denae decided to make cups of oatmeal. They decided that keeping it in their cups wasn't enough, but that the floor needed to be painted with it. And Denae was having too much fun to make it to the bathroom.

After lunchtime and naps (and letting go of everything to watch a movie with Blake, while snacking on way too many Cheetos that were supposed to be for October) I decided that we would have a great little outing to Grandpa's house since he had asked him to help pick pears and raspberries.

But again, trying to get out the door was a nightmare. It took almost an hour to just leave. I ran back in like 50 times to get things I kept forgetting. I just about gave up, but realized we all needed some fresh air.



Once there, I started picking, but Evelyn got into the rotten pears infested with bugs. Her shirt has raspberry stains on it. Blake had no interest in listening to any word I said. And so we left with very few raspberries.  And a stressed-out mom.

As we drove away, I said a little prayer in my heart and the impression came, "this shall be but a small moment." It's true. This stage of life with my two best little friends by my side nearly every minute of every day will be fleeting. And I know I just need to enjoy it. I know we were supposed to have them close to each other for a reason. I think one of those reasons is to teach me to chill out.

^Blake was more interested in watching the bees eat the rotten pears

Here's to a better day tomorrow. A more relaxed me. :) Because I really am the luckiest mom and have no right to complain compared to single moms and other moms who do a lot more by themselves than I do! 

families are forever!

Families are forever.

And ours started 6 years ago today. It was a sunny, warm, memorable day. Besides our wedding video not working, everything went perfect as far as I could tell.

We had the chance earlier this week to take our family to the Ogden Temple Open House. It was a special event to be in the temple with my whole little family. I hope we all live righteously and worthy to be in the Temple again when our children are grown. I love the Temple for the peace it provides. And more than ever in my life, peace is a rare occasion around our house.

Our marriage is not perfect. Our life is not perfect. But I wouldn't trade being with these 3 for anything else.

the importance of a key

It was Friday morning and each family had just finished taking down tents and loading up the cars after a fun-filled week. My dad had most of the hard work like cleaning the dutch ovens and taking down the outdoor kitchen.

The last thing left was to load up the tent trailer, load up the canoes and pick up the campsite. Around noon (the time we were supposed to check-out), my dad went to unlock the lock on the trailer so that he could hook it on to his car.

The only problem: his couldn't get his key into the lock. He tried and tried and to no avail.

He didn't have WD-40, so he sent a few of us off to go to the neighboring campers and see if they had any. We checked the campground host, but they were gone. I ran to the neighbors and although they didn't have any, she went next door to her neighbors to see if they had any. But they didn't.

My dad was still fiddling with the lock and key. The next thing we know, we see the neighbor lady walking around the campground, knocking on trailers in search of finding some WD-40. She finally found some and brought it over.

But that wasn't until we had gone to a few other campers and had borrowed a large axe to try to smash the lock. For you see, we wouldn't be able to go home until we could get the lock undone. By this time, an hour or so had passed. And a group of campers were gathered around the trailer trying to get the lock undone.

Just then, my dad had a thought. Maybe it was the wrong key. He pulled out another set of keys he had. He inserted a new one and ta-da, it worked! He had been using the wrong key the entire time! He felt a little dumb, but we all learned some wonderful lessons.

1. Brandon and my 2 brothers had both felt inspired to ask my dad if it was the wrong key from the beginning of this ordeal, but none of them followed that prompting. If they would have listened, it would have saved a lot of grief and time. It took over an hour to figure this out.

2. Many other campers were willing to help, even if that meant interrupting what they were doing. We should always be willing to jump in and serve others even when it isn't convenient. We were grateful for the neighbor lady who although she didn't have what we were looking for, was willing to continue looking until we found what we needed.

3. The right key is vital to our return home. There has been a lot of discussion and contention lately in the news about women and the Priesthood. I don't know everything and I feel bad that this has become such a trial of testimony for so many women and men alike. We all have questions about the gospel and the "why's" of doctrine that cannot be fully understood during this life or even at a certain moment. However, I do know that we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson and that he holds all the keys of the Priesthood. He can see more than we can. And because I sustain him, I can be confident in knowing that women do not need to hold the keys of the Priesthood to be "equal" or just as prominent in the church. The beauty of the gospel is that men and women hold different, but equally important roles. Men will never be able to bear children, but that doesn't mean that they can't have an eternal impact on their children, or be blessed by their children. So it is with the Priesthood. Women don't need to hold the Priesthood keys to be blessed by its Power.

being a mom of 4

When I was watching Hudson and Charlotte a few weeks ago, I had the crazy idea of getting some pictures of them with Blake and Evelyn on my bed after they were all bathed and in PJs. Yep, crazy. It was a miracle none of them got hurt! What was I thinking? 

These photos just about sum up how it was being a mom to practically 2 sets of twins. There were moments of calm, moments of tears, moments of "anything you can do I can do better", moments of ease, moments of craziness, and moments of love. 

We aren't ready for 2 more anytime soon, but we're glad we got some one-on-one time with our NYC cousins.